Since the outset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, Ireland has spent €380 million in “political, humanitarian, economic and non-lethal military aid” on supporting Ukraine.
The figures, revealed by Independent Minister of State Seán Canney, include the donation of 34 vehicles, which were delivered in September, along with 3 Reacher bomb disposal units. Before that, five air defence radar systems delivered in June.
Canney said that the Irish Defence Forces are set to deliver “a further training module of basic training to Ukrainian armed forces personnel” via the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine.
“This will take to 23 the total number of modules delivered by Irish personnel,” he added.
Through the European Defence Agency’s EU SatCom Market project, Ireland provided satellite communications equipment to Ukraine at a value of €1.36 million.
The State continues to make contributions to the European Peace Facility, EPF, directed towards non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine.
Taken together, the EU and its member countries have delivered close to €144 billion in support since the conflict began.
This backing has included macro-financial aid, budgetary assistance, emergency measures, crisis response, humanitarian relief, and military support. In February 2024, a political agreement was concluded on a €50 billion financial package for Ukraine.
Under this arrangement, up to €50 billion in grants and loans will be available to Ukraine through to 2027, aimed at addressing urgent needs, supporting recovery efforts and helping with modernisation as it advances towards EU membership.
At EU level, most of the outstanding EPF funding that has already been committed is still on hold. For its part, Ireland has pledged €100 million this year in bilateral non-lethal military support. In July, €10 million was allocated to each of the UDCG coalitions focused on demining and on IT assistance, led by Lithuania–Iceland and Estonia–Luxembourg respectively.
The remaining €80 million is being directed mainly towards purchasing non-lethal air defence components, in partnership with other EU member states with whom Ireland has established procurement arrangements.
“The Government is firmly committed to continuing this strong support for Ukraine and expects to announce a further substantial package of non-lethal support shortly,” Canney told the Dáil.